Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Ray looked around the apartment he'd picked out. It was identical to Alexis' which was on the opposite side but hers had a better view than his. He wasn't complaining though because that view had nothing on her. They were on the twelfth floor which was the highest in the building and consisted of only the two apartments. No nosy or ridiculously loud neighbors. It would be just the two of them on the floor. The thought did nothing to calm some of his crucial body parts down.

When he'd seen her in the kitchen dressed in those clothes that hid her figure, he hadn't seen how terrible they looked on her as Jayden kept saying. Oh no. He'd taken one look at her and the only thing he could think of was what he'd find when he was done unwrapping her. She looked like a Christmas present and given the chance he'd peel off all the layers one by one until there was nothing between them. The glasses were even worse. He'd spent all week imagining her in some sexy Victoria Secret lingerie with those glasses on and her hair loose, hanging down her shoulders. As of then, the number of cold showers he'd taken had to be a record for any man out there. Any OCD person would congratulate him on his hygiene. And if he didn't stop thinking about her, he was going to need another one soon. Shaking his head to dispel those thoughts from his mind he went in search of Hayley.

She was next door taking inventory of the fridge. She had done so much to make sure her daughter was comfortable that he felt a pang of jealousy. Would his mother worry that much if she were still alive? He had to hope she would. Not that Jasmine hadn't stepped into that role. At first, he'd thought she was too young to be anyone's mother. That is why he'd been cold and distant towards her. But more often than not, she had proved him wrong. Yes, she was young when his father had married her, but she'd never made him feel neglected or unwanted. For someone so carefree, she could be intense sometimes. She'd shadowed and smothered him until he'd accepted her. Which he realized later wasn't a bad thing because he found out that he could tell her anything.

She was the one who had bought him his first condoms when he'd told her he liked a girl. She was the one who had encouraged him to start his own business when he'd told her he didn't want to rely on his father's success. Don't get him started on that little book of advice she kept and whipped out whenever he went to her. He'd taken a peek at it this one time when she'd left it on the table and he'd regretted it ever since. The things she had collected in there could make or destroy a man. She was his best friend when he needed her to be and somewhat of a mother when the occasion called for it. She wasn't perfect but then again no one was.

That didn't mean that sometimes he hadn't wished for his mother to still be alive. He had needed her, sometimes did, especially when she saw how Hayley dotted on her children. Jayden would always complain about how suffocating his mother's attention was sometimes but when he was in trouble or needed something, she was the first person he called. Not his father. That bond they had, that's what he missed. It wasn't something you could replace easily. Especially since it had been just him and his mother. They were close, almost to a point where his friend's had called him a mama's boy but he hadn't cared. At that time, she was all he'd had. He hadn't known of his father's existence so to him, his mother had been his only family. Was it a wonder he hadn't wanted to replace her?

"Why so sad?" Hayley asked jolting him out of his reverie.

"Oh, nothing. Are you going to buy all that by yourself? I don't mind doing it" he asked pointing at the list she'd made. It was long.

"I know. But we'll go together, have a mother-son bonding time"

"Huh?"

"I mean your fridge probably needs all this so I don't mind the help especially if I'm going to double the groceries"

Ray winced. That list was way too long and honestly, it's not like he cooked that much. Some of that stuff would just rot away in his fridge "You honestly don't have to do that. I can buy my own groceries"

"You don't want my help?" the look of hurt on her face looked real. It could have been if she hadn't smiled. He hadn't joked when he'd said she was Alexis' clone. Which was why he could see right through her but how could he refuse her? You simply didn't say no to Mrs. Rutherford.

"Okay fine. I'll let you stock my fridge for me. On one condition"

"Anything for you Ray"

"I come with you. There's no way you'll be able to carry all this by yourself" not that she was ever going to. The people at the market rushed to provide with anything she needed. Having her own restaurant meant that most of her stuff came from the farmers market. He could only imagine how people went over and beyond for her because of the business she took to them. The Alexandra was famous for its delicious food. Add the Rutherford name to it and everyone wanted to know how they made their food or where they got their ingredients from.

Speaking of Alexandra, he hadn't seen her much this week because according to Hayley, if her daughter found out they were going to be neighbors, she'd refuse to move in. So the less he saw of her until she was settled in, the better. It was Friday which meant Alexis would move into her new place tomorrow. He couldn't wait to have her so close and all to himself. He hated to admit it but he was scared of what JR would do to him if he ever caught him putting the moves on his daughter. With her living next door and far away from her father, he had the chance to convince her that he was the one for her.

He'd also heard news of Connor's arrest from one of his buddies at the station. That imbecile had been dealing drugs but thanks to an anonymous call, they'd caught him. He hoped never to hear from him again but above all, he hoped Alexis had seen what a scumbag he was. He was almost sure that she wouldn't date a criminal thanks to his father's lectures that were ingrained on her, both of them actually, about how criminals were Liars. But he couldn't be a hundred percent sure because love drove people to do stupid things. No worries though. Soon she'd have no time to think about Connor or any man. He'd use Jasmine's tactics to have her fall in love with him. If Jasmine had succeeded in making him see her as a mother figure, then nothing was impossible.

Hours later Ray was contemplating on what to do when he received a text from Marjorie inviting him out. Her only condition was that she bring Henry along. He knew she liked his friend and he felt sorry for Henry because Marjorie wasn't someone you could ignore. All throughout college Henry had turned down girls using the excuse of not wanting to get distracted. To some extent, Ray understood why he wanted to succeed so much, but he'd also told him not to forget about other things like relationships. They were important too. Otherwise, what would having success mean if you didn't share it with someone? But he'd grumbled saying there was time for that later. Hopefully, that later was now because Marjorie had set her eyes on him and he could only imagine what she planned to do to have wrapped around her little finger. Also, there is no way he was going to miss seeing Henry pretend not to like her which is why he called his friend. The fact that Alexis would be there too was a bonus.

"Heeey handsome. I feel like I haven't seen you in like forever" Marjorie gushed the second they sat down opposite them. Immediately Ray knew she wanted something from him.

"Hi, Marjorie. Princess"

"Hi, Henry. You get hotter and hotter by the second, don't you?"

Ray watched his friend try really hard not to smirk. Compliments from women were one way to stroke their egos. But one from someone you liked? He only wished Alexis would look at him once. And he didn't mean it in a metaphorical way, he meant literally. She was bent over her drink not even bothering to acknowledge their arrival. Was something troubling her? If so would she tell him so he could fix it for her? He'd slay her monsters for her in a heartbeat if she pointed him in the right direction. But for them to have that kind of trust, he'd have to wait for a little bit longer. Eventually, he would be her knight in shining armor. Her Prince. All he had to do was take one step at a time. At the moment, he needed a drink. Seeing her sad made him sad too.

"What are you guys drinking? I'll get the next round"

"Oh no," Marjorie rushed to say. "Tonight is on me. I told my father I'd met a potential husband and he was only happy to give me back my credit card" Ray wanted to ask how meeting a potential husband -who he suspected was Henry- had anything to do with getting back her credit card, but he had a feeling that was a story she shouldn't say in front of his friend. Henry wasn't ready for that kind of commitment yet. Hopefully, with time Marjorie could work her magic but until then, it was better not to scare him away.

"Okay, Marj. Buy away. TGIF right?"

"This is why I love you, Ray. Let's get you guys drunk"

An hour later Ray realized Marjorie hadn't been kidding when she'd suggested getting them drunk. She had been shoving drinks their way, encouraging them to forget about everything and let go. He could hold his liquor but since he was starting to feel tipsy, he put his foot down and switched to water. Jesus, he was glad he wasn't interested in her because her powers of persuasion were off the charts. But he had to give it to her though. Getting Henry drunk so she could loosen him up was totally working. Already he was enamored by her judging from how he couldn't keep his hands to himself. They were either in her hair or caressing her face, hands, anywhere he could touch, murmuring about how soft her skin was. When Marjorie told them to switch places he couldn't agree faster.

He watched as Marjorie leaned into Henry and whatever she must have told him was all the permission he needed because suddenly they were kissing each other. Poor Henry. He'll learn the hard way. Either by waking up with a killer hangover or blue balls. That'll teach him not to put his guard down whenever Marjorie was around. Leaving them to it, he turned to Alexis. She was still bent over her drink and oddly enough it was the same one she had when they walked in. She had to be really sad if she wasn't drinking. He would have preferred her angry even if it meant taking care of her all night. Mad Alexis got drunk. He could deal with that. Sad Alexis was just that, sad.

Leaning towards her until he was a breath away he asked "Alexis are you okay?"

She looked up startled then blinked like she just now realized he was there. "Why are you..... When did you get here?" he pointed to the couple making out in front of them as if them kissing would explain how long ago they'd arrived. Her body deflated and she went back to staring at her drink. But he wasn't going to let her keep sulking. There was a chance she might bite his head off when he tried to find out what was wrong with her but it was worth a try. He really didn't like seeing her that way. Taking her chin in his thumb and forefinger, he lifted her face up to his.

"Talk to me. If anything I'm always here so you can vent out your anger. I'll even be your punching bag if you need one" when she would have turned away and ignored him, he tightened his hold. "What's there to lose? Except for my teeth of course. Knowing you, I don't believe you'll pass up the chance to turn me into an ugly duckling" that got a smile from her. It was small but it was better than nothing. Letting go of her chin he took her hand and stood up. If he was going to get her to open up to him, he needed a place that was quiet. A corner table had opened up so he took her there, let her take the corner sit so he could box her in. That way she would have nowhere to go. Although, her coming with him was a start. It meant she was willing to talk to him and that in itself was progress.

Baby steps Ray. Baby steps.

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If you know a man who's willing to be my punching bag, please send them my way.